Fuel pump going bad?

How can I tell if the fuel pump is going bad?
I was driving home last night and the car started to jerk every once in a while.
Not really jerk like bucking, but almost as if the clutch had slipped.
It made me sorta nervous so as I headed back home, I turned onto a road right by my house and ran it pretty hard in second gear.
It was fine right until it hit 3000 rpm and then it did it again.
So I slowed down and made the next corner, and did it again, 2nd gear, and again at 3000 it cut out for a short second...
Could this be the fuel pump?
Anyone ever have this problem before?

unless u hear a really high pitched noise comin from the back of the car,...probly not... its only doing it ramdomly..around 3000...i duno..check the hose from the airbox to the intake see if its tight, and check ur distrubitor cap see if thats in the right spot and tight, and unplug the maf and other sensors and clean the prongs on them...im not really sure what would do what ur talking about...

Re: (st.germain)

unless u hear a really high pitched noise comin from the back of the car,...probly not... its only doing it ramdomly..around 3000...i duno..check the hose from the airbox to the intake see if its tight, and check ur distrubitor cap see if thats in the right spot and tight, and unplug the maf and other sensors and clean the prongs on them...im not really sure what would do what ur talking about...

I had a fuel pump go out on me with the same symptoms he's having. Reason I asked if the fuel pump was noisy. When mine started to go out, the pump sounded like a ball bearing or something in the pump was loose. Also, at certain RPM's, the engine would buck pretty bad.

Re: (st.germain)

Yeah, its really awkward and it makes me nervous because I dont want to go out driving now to diagnose the problem in case something happens and I would have to tow it home.
And no, no buzzing that I can hear.
At least not over my rattling, plugged up catalytic converter, haha.
Anyone else?

Re: (st.germain)

Sounds like what my car did last week, I was low on fuel and made a right turn onto the freeway and the car cut out. Turns out the transfer pump was angry and didn't want to cooperate with the main pump, starving it of fuel.
I changed the transfer pump and everything is fine.

Originally Posted by JacksSenseOfRejection

Here's a fun fact: if someone is hitting you with a metal pipe, stay down.

Re: Fuel pump going bad? (brandonrosensteel)

I donno if you still have this problem cus everyone posted what i would say. For me i unpluged the plug going into the mass air sensor an cleaned it with electrical cleaner and it was perfect right after.

Re: Fuel pump going bad? (DreamedVito)

It was dielectrically greased a few days ago.
I dont know whats wrong with it, seriously.
Its making me nervous because I dont know what could cause it and I really dont have the money to pay a shop to look it over, but its something I feel deserves a little bit of attention.
I didnt find anything personally yet.
I just bought a new valve pan gasket and spark plugs and a fuel filter.
Im going to put them on either tomorrow or sunday and then start messing with the rest of it.
Oh, but driving home tonight, I noticed it was cutting out in every gear consistently at 2,500 and 3,000. I didnt dare rev it higher becuase I didnt know what would happen, but it seems like when I would run it hard over 3,500, it would stop...
EDIT: It cut out in every gear except first. Thought maybe I should mention that. First gear runs good and strong.
I changed my oil today though, and after I did, my idle is perfect now?
It was fluctuating all over the place previously and now it runs great sitting still.

Heres a picture of my Jetta, by the way.
Just to help with the views...

Re: (WC2LT)

Not sure.
I have only put 3000 miles on the car and got it in October.
I bought new plugs and Im going to put them in either tomorrow or sunday.
Someone else told me the distributor too.
I was told to just replace the cap though and see if that helps...

Re: (mozart)

Well, its not really just throwing the money, but its just the money for the basic maintenance stuff.
I have been trying to update all of the things as I go along.
As for the Bentley, no, unfortunately I dont own one.
Im going to be placing an order from GAP within the next few days though and I plan to get one.

Re: Fuel pump going bad? (brandonrosensteel)

Well i think after you change you fuel filter, cap and rotor, spark plugs an clean the mass air sensor plug you should be good an i dont think its a waste of money cus ive done it to my car an it runs better then b4. Hey just to say when you change your oil ive been told to use a vw oil filter cus something about oil pressure. An so affer doing that work you should out high octane gas an give your a nice rip get everything blown out. let me know what happens.

It's not just the plug you've gotta clean, it's the whole airflow sensor. Mine was corroded inside, which caused it to get stuck every now and then. Make sure that the flap moves all the way without a hint of grinding or anything like that. The tolerances in there are pretty tight, any sort of corrosion in there could bind things up. The symptoms sound MAF related, try a spare or one from a buddy's car, see if that helps. And definitely do the full tuneup (plugs, cap, rotor, wires, air/fuel filters).

Re: (steveo27)

Thanks guys, Ill take the MAF sensor apart today
Ill post again to this after I get all of this changed over and we'll see how its doing then
Thanks a lot! [IMG]http://**********************/smile/emthup.gif[/IMG]